# SDMB Footie Focus March **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 1, 2004, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895 "2004-03-01T13:15:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2004, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/101 "2004-03-29T12:46:18Z")
OST, are you really decending to “You’re not from X, so your opinions about X don’t count?” pretty pathetic. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2004, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/102 "2004-03-29T12:48:54Z")
> [@ruadh](#): > > What I don’t understand are the people here who claim to support a Premiership team but never even make the effort to see them. My old flatmate used to constantly wind me up about the eight-hour-each-way journeys I would make to see a team play in a “Mickey Mouse league”. He calls himself a Liverpool supporter, but he’s never been to Anfield in his life. It’s not that far away! That’s the point I was trying to make. I’d be prepared to put money on the fact that this person would actually consider themselves reasonably well informed about LFC, having seen them on the telly, read about them in the press and fannied about on the interweb a bit. However; as you will know; he hasn’t actually got a scoobie, as he isn’t actually THERE. Also if this behaviour counts as “supporting” a club, then I am pleased to announce that my “affair” with Brittney Spears is going swimmingly. I’ve never met the bird of course, but what does that matter? ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2004, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/103 "2004-03-29T12:52:01Z")
> [@TwistofFate](#): > > OST, are you really decending to “You’re not from X, so your opinions about X don’t count?” > pretty pathetic. Nope not at all. What I am on about is that I have no idea why someone from far away would feel the need to “support” an english club. Also quite what that “support” actually entails. Buying a snide replica shirt in a street market doesn’t really help all that much. Enlighten me, why don’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Low\_Key\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@Low\_Key\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Low_Key_1)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2004, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/104 "2004-03-29T12:54:36Z")
> [@](#): > > However; as you will know; he hasn’t actually got a scoobie, as he isn’t actually THERE. Because I can’t go to the games (for whatever reason) I haven’t “got a scoobie” about what’s ‘really’ going on. I’ll agree that the overwhelming ‘support’ for ManU, Real Madrid, the NY Yankees is pretty much BS, but to say that people who don’t go to the games on a regular basis don’t have a clue about what’s going on I also think is BS. ---
**Author:** ![Low\_Key\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@Low\_Key\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Low_Key_1)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2004, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/105 "2004-03-29T13:14:53Z")
> [@](#): > > Also quite what that “support” actually entails. I suppose we just have differing views on what exactly support does entail. I don’t see how just because you go to every home game, your support is so much more valuable than someone who just watches every game and ‘follows’ the Spurs (or whoever) support is. I suppose that you provide more money for the club directly (but, TV revenue is also very important to a clubs finances). I think that saying that you support a team is just a way of expressing that you would prefer to see that particular team win whatever (the championship, stanley cup, whatever…) and not necessarily an expression stating that you sing to cheer them on during a game, and pay the club money to pay for the players wages, etc… ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2004, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/106 "2004-03-29T13:40:44Z")
Thing is, five years ago I was living 8,000 miles from Celtic Park and was lucky to make it to one game a year. But I was still spending $200 a year (admittedly much less than I’m paying now, but still a significant amount) for the privilege of getting up at ungodly hours on a Saturday or Sunday morning to watch poor satellite transmissions of their games. I would have taken great offence to being told I wasn’t a real supporter. Although, now that I think about it I did have kind of an attitude about the “supporters” who wore Celtic jerseys when they came into the pub on weekend nights but could never be arsed to come in in the mornings and actually watch the games. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2004, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/107 "2004-03-29T15:23:35Z")
The point I’m trying to make is that unless you are actually at a game, any opinion you may have is, by definition, second hand. It is either a journalist’s opinion or at the mercy of camera angles etc. You don’t get to see the whole game, runs off the ball, body language, demenour etc. Now I accept that not everyone can get to every game - there’s only so many tickets after all. However where were these people when you could get into ANY ground and pay at the door? However to state that following a team at arms-length is the same as actually going is nonsense. What I fail to understand is why someone would opt for this second class spectacle, unless forced. It’s like preferring porn to actual real life sex with another human being. ---
**Author:** ![Low\_Key\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@Low\_Key\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Low_Key_1)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2004, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/108 "2004-03-29T16:20:50Z")
> [@](#): > > However where were these people when you could get into ANY ground and pay at the door? I suppose if we look back to when that was possible, we end up with a slightly different argument, but that’s not the reality today. > [@](#): > > What I fail to understand is why someone would opt for this second class spectacle, unless forced. No idea. I can’t imagine anyone actually saying that they _prefer_ to stay at home and watch the game on TV. If they did, then I’d be inclined to wonder about their support (unless, of course, they have some sort of phobia or whatever). I certainly don’t prefer watching football, or any sport for that matter, on TV, but I rarely have the privledge of getting to go to a game. I still consider myself a supporter. Anyway, I feel like we’re starting to flog a dead horse here… surely we must have some other topic of discussion that we can move on to… Predictions for the rest of Champions League / UEFA Cup anyone? ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2004, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/109 "2004-03-30T09:20:52Z")
> [@PeterT](#): > > Predictions for the rest of Champions League / UEFA Cup anyone? Champions League - Milan UEFA - very open indeed, no real idea Prem 4th Spot - Charlton! yes really. Millwall to win the play offs. ---
**Author:** ![Low\_Key\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@Low\_Key\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Low_Key_1)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2004, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/110 "2004-03-30T10:42:44Z")
I guess maybe I should post my predictions as well… Uefa Cup - I agree with you **owlstretchingtime**. very open indeed. Anyway, my predictions for who goes through to the next round - \*Inter \*Celtic \*PSV \*Valencia Champions League - Arsenal Prem 4th spot - Liverpool (Charlton certainly would be a surprise if that happens) ---
**Author:** ![garius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e19b73/32.png) [@garius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garius)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2004, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/111 "2004-03-30T11:05:44Z")
Champions league: Milan (much as it pains me to admit it - being a gooner and all) UEFA Cup: Celtic 4th place: Charlton, although the loss of Parker really seems to have hit 'em hard. > [@owlstretchingtime](#): > > Now I accept that not everyone can get to every game - there’s only so many tickets after all. However where were these people when you could get into ANY ground and pay at the door? I was busy wondering what senior school would be like. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/112 "2004-03-31T16:32:34Z")
> [@garius](#): > > Champions league: Milan (much as it pains me to admit it - being a gooner and all) > > UEFA Cup: Celtic > > 4th place: Charlton, although the loss of Parker really seems to have hit 'em hard. > > I was busy wondering what senior school would be like. 😉 You could rock up and pay at the door at the library until wenger actually got them winning stuff. They got shocking crowds under Rioch. You’re not that young are you? Owl - who has paid 5 shillings to watch a game (or more accurately who’s dad paid 5s) and as such really is very very old. I am not going to watch the England game (I am otherwise engaged) and I really couldn’t care less. I hope defoe does well though as I think he’s a better player than either Heskey or Vassell. ---
**Author:** ![Low\_Key\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@Low\_Key\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Low_Key_1)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/113 "2004-03-31T23:14:06Z")
Just got back from the England - Sweden game. Decent enough. I’m was pleased to see that maybe I’ve been too pessimistic about my hopes for Sweden in the coming European Championships. Not that we (Sweden) played brilliantly or anything even close to it, but its nice to see that maybe we finally have a team that can actually score some goals. Zlatan continues to impress. Blahblahblah… I suppose nobody else actually gives a fuck about how Sweden do… On the fun side, it was entertaining to see a few pished Englishmen chatting up the Swedish chicks (ok, attempting to in a semi-coherent manner)… ---
**Author:** ![garius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e19b73/32.png) [@garius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garius)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/114 "2004-04-01T12:40:24Z")
> [@owlstretchingtime](#): > > You could rock up and pay at the door at the library until wenger actually got them winning stuff. They got shocking crowds under Rioch. I’m 23. Saw my first Arsenal game aged eight - my Uncle (the only gooner in the family) took me to a game as a birthday present. From then on i was hooked. Saw sporadic games after that - again when he could be arsed/bullied into taking me. Caught a few games in my mid-teens when i could persuade the folks to let me travel up on my own, but by the time i hit the earning money stage it was impossible to get tickets. Saw most of the home games and a few aways in the '98 double winning season courtesy of a brother-in-law who had two season tickets. Unfortunately my sister divorced him shortly after (the bitch - what about _my_ needs dammit!). These days its mainly the cup games no-one else wants to go to with the odd premiership game thrown in (last match i saw was Southampton at Home). Um… i did have a point before i started going all _fever pitch_ on you, but i forget what it was now. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/115 "2004-04-01T12:51:20Z")
My Mates a gooner, and he hasn’t got an ST, but he gets to quite a few games by buying a ticket that includes lunch. He tells me that it’s not cheap but it is still cheaper than a tout (especialy for the big games). Might be worth a try? ---
**Author:** ![garius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e19b73/32.png) [@garius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garius)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/116 "2004-04-01T12:58:49Z")
> [@owlstretchingtime](#): > > My Mates a gooner, and he hasn’t got an ST, but he gets to quite a few games by buying a ticket that includes lunch. > > He tells me that it’s not cheap but it is still cheaper than a tout (especialy for the big games). > > Might be worth a try? Cheers me dears. I’ll take a look - always good to have options. Mostly its season tickets from friends of friends when they aren’t using them at the moment, but you rarely get the big games that way. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/117 "2004-04-02T10:38:31Z")
Hurry everyone the bookies are giving away FREE MONEY!! Chelsea are 5/4 to beat Spurs at Billy Hills. This is as close to a sure thing as there has ever been. The last time THFC beat CFC the winning goal was scored by Gary Lineker. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/118 "2004-04-02T10:55:28Z")
And it’s three days before the Champs League second leg against the Gooners. And the last team we played at home was Newcastle, who we beat. And we have no serious injury worries . . . you might be right, but then 0 – 0 is 9/1. ---
**Author:** ![bluecanary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bluecanary/32/3614_2.png) [@bluecanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bluecanary)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/119 "2004-04-02T11:02:56Z")
Sorry, I don’t see 5-4 as that good a deal. Spurs don’t have to win, remember, for you to lose your money. Ian (Newcastle Utd Supporter) ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895/120 "2004-04-02T12:29:58Z")
hmmm… CFC still have an outside chance of the title and would want to beat us in case the filth slip up (can’t seen it myself). CFC’s midfield is much stronger than ours so their strikers will get opportunities. I hope I’m wrong but it’s hard to see us getting anything out of this one. I bloody hate bloody Chelsea and their woodworm NF/BNP followers. it wasn’t that long ago that they were getting 8,000 crowds and competing in the full-members cup (complete members more like). I live in SW london in prime woodworm territory and these people make me sick. They NEVER EVER go to a game and think that watching a game on the telly (when the ground is 10 minutes away by tube) makes them “supporters”. Ken Bates had the right idea - pen 'em in and electrocute 'em! Having said all that “Football Factory” is a corking little fillum. Not for the offenderati though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-march/231895.md?page=7)